Robert Sayles: So you're thinking about running a pub! Part 2

Brian popped in last week, beaming from ear to ear.

"I've found a pub" he said

"Really" l said "that was quick."

"Yes" he replied. "I found it on the internet and went along to have a look at it."

"When did you go and view it?"

"I took your advice and did a Wednesday evening viewing."

"Good" I said "Was it busy?"

"No, but the landlord told me it was quiet because all the students are away at the moment. Apparently when they get back the place is always packed."

"Mmm. OK. So why's he leaving?"

"Oh, he's got other business interests to pursue so he doesn't have time to run it, and his wife isn't very well either so he wants to spend more time with her."

"OK" I said. "Have you spoken to anybody else about this pub?"

"Oh yes" he eagerly replied. "I called the pubco and they gave my number to the BDM. He rang me back straight away. He was so nice, very friendly and helpful. He said I sounded like just the sort of person they were looking for."

Yes I thought to myself, I bet he did. The BDM - or to you and me the 'wolf in sheep's clothing', (although I do recall one case where it was most definitely a sheep in sheep's clothing!).

"OK. Did he say anything else?"

"Yes he told me it was a cracking little pub with bags of potential and that if I wanted it I should be quick because three other people were also interested in it. I think I need to get a business plan in straight away so I don't lose it."

"Brian" …."Yes" he answered expectantly.

"Sit down. I think we really do need to talk. Let's start at the beginning shall we? Now then, did he mention anything about barrel sales to you?"

"No. Why, can I get information about this?"

"Now it's funny you should ask that…………..."

Many people starting out in the trade for the first time are likely to take on a tenancy agreement. In such circumstances no accounts will be available for scrutiny; consequently barrel sales constitute the most realistic means of assessing the viability of a business and calculating basic turnover. Draught beer is, after all, the bread and butter of our business.

So where does this information come from? Presently, you are reliant upon the BDM to provide it. Are you in a position to verify the information you are given? In short, no.

Personally, I don't think that is good enough. Why? Because if you are given outdated trading data then you are in trouble from the outset! I don't know about you, but if I am going to part with cash to take on a pub I want to be sure that the information I have is both accurate and reliable.

Is such information available? Most definitely - Brulines have all the information we need and it includes amongst other things, a breakdown of all beer sales, including analysis of individual brand performance, as well as peak selling times (hot spots) so staff can be scheduled accordingly.

Can a prospective new tenant get access to that information? The answer is no. The question is, why not?

It could all be so simple. Let's say you find a pub you are interested in. You pop along and see the BDM and ask for some independent trading data. (All the pubco needs to do is produce a trading data release form which they give you). You add your details, together with those of the pub, pop it in the post to Brulines and they send the information back to you.

Personally I would be quite happy to pay a small 'administrative fee' to Brulines, (say twenty pounds) in order to get access to this data. What could be simpler or more transparent?

I suspect Brulines would be happy to provide this service as it offers them an additional income stream.

The only party likely to be less than enamoured with the idea are the pubcos as it is quite likely that such information might lead people like Brian to conclude that rather than taking on a "cracking little pub" they are in fact going to be saddled with something which no one in their right minds would want to go anywhere near.

So do this. The next time you see a pub you are interested in, ask the BDM if you can have access to the trading data from Brulines. Then sit back and listen to all the pathetic reasons why you can't.

It is clear to me that the only good thing to come out of the current crisis is a growing recognition that things need to change. Others areas of the economy have recognised this fact and legislated accordingly. The housing market for example is now required to provide HIPs and we hear much in the media these days about the need for "transparency and accountability" in the banking sector. What about our sector? For too long we have been given the bare minimum and made to feel thankful for it. Quite frankly it's not good enough.

We deserve better and I think it's about time we got it!